MPs urged to back community stand on CSG

The Federal Environment minister Tony Burke has criticised New South Wales for refusing to sign up to tough new national protocols on CSG exploration and drilling.

Rob Oakeshott said local National Party MPs need to put the interests of their constituents above party politics.

"It is incredibly frustrating that agreements were reached between the Commonwealth and the State last year on this process.

"To elevate the importance of water and the science around water in planning for future coal seam gas or open cut mining.

"Yet the protocols behind that just can't be agreed upon between the Commonwealth and the State."

Mr Oakeshott said residents in areas like Gloucester need someone to fight for them.

"It's incredibly important to the community of Gloucester who are currently facing up to one new coal seam gas well for every seven people living there over the next two years based on this NSW Planning," he said.

"Likewise they are looking at a very large open cut coal mine only one kilometre from the town centre, based on the old NSW planning laws."